Creamy Southwest Chicken Corn Chowder

Recipe By: Ashley McCrary of Healthy Little Peach

🌽 Fun Fact: This chowder gets its creamy texture from coconut milk and tender potatoes, with an optional cornstarch slurry for a thicker finish. All that richness, without the dairy.

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Ingredients

For the Chowder
  1. 1 lb boneless chicken breast, diced, or 2½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken

  2. 2 cups fresh or frozen corn

  3. 2 cups peeled, diced Yukon Gold potatoes

  4. 1 sweet onion, chopped

  5. 2 tbsp minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

  6. 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles

  7. 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter

  8. 3 garlic cloves, minced

  9. 4–5 cups chicken broth

  10. 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

  11. 1½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water, optional

For the Seasoning
  1. 1 tsp garlic powder

  2. ½ tsp onion powder

  3. ½ tsp paprika

  4. ½ tsp ground cumin

  5. 1 tsp chili powder

  6. 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste

  7. ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For Garnishing
  1. Fresh chopped parsley

  2. Sliced green onions

  3. Dairy-free yogurt, optional

Step By Step

1️⃣ Cook The Chicken
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Using rotisserie chicken? Skip the browning and add it later.

2️⃣ Build The Aromatic Base
  1. In the same pot, add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced Yukon Gold potatoes. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and everything smells fragrant.

3️⃣ Bring In The Southwest Flavors
  1. Add the corn, diced green chiles, minced chipotle peppers, and all the dry seasonings. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes to let the spices bloom.

4️⃣ Make It Creamy
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and full-fat coconut milk. Stir to combine, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil.

5️⃣ Simmer Until Tender
  1. Return the chicken to the pot. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for approximately 20–25 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is fully cooked.

6️⃣ Get That Chowder Texture
  1. For a thicker soup, stir together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly add the mixture to the simmering chowder, stirring until it thickens. Cook for another few minutes.

7️⃣ Garnish & Serve
  1. Ladle the warm chowder into bowls. Finish with freshly chopped parsley, sliced green onions, and a spoonful of dairy-free yogurt if desired. Serve with crusty bread or crispy tortilla strips for a little crunch.

Chef's Tip: Want to dial down the heat? Start with half the chipotle peppers and adjust to taste. For an easy weeknight shortcut, shredded rotisserie chicken works beautifully.

Make-Ahead Note: Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days. Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore the creamy consistency.